Chapter 4

Aiden

I wake with a smile on my face, the memory of Grace’s soft lips and sweet scent lingering like a pleasant dream. For the first time in longer than I can remember, my wolf is quiet, content. Peace settles over me like a warm blanket. Oh, it still craves Grace—wants her to belong to us—but her easy acceptance has gone a long way to settle the beast.

The past week has been nothing short of perfect. Long walks in the woods, lazy afternoons in the sun, evenings cuddled on the couch watching movies. With each passing day, I feel the bond between us growing stronger, the pull of our connection becoming more irresistible.

But even as I bask in this newfound happiness, a nagging sense of unease prickles at the back of my mind. Like a shadow lurking just out of sight, waiting to eclipse the light.

I push the feeling aside as I head across the way, eager to see my mate. I find her at the bakery, humming to herself as she puts away a batch of cupcakes. The sight of her, curves hugged by a pretty sundress, hair piled atop her head in a messy bun, makes my heart trip in my chest.

“Hey there, sunshine,” I murmur, coming around the counter and up behind her to nuzzle her neck. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Grace leans back into my embrace, tilting her head to grant me better access. “Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite customer. What can I get for you today, handsome? A ‘Beefcake Brownie’ perhaps? Or maybe a ‘Studmuffin’?”

I chuckle, nipping playfully at her earlobe. “Tempting. But I was thinking maybe we could go for a run later? The moon will be full tonight, and my wolf is itching to stretch his legs with his mate by his side.”

Grace turns in my arms, looping her own around my neck. “A romantic moonlit run through the woods? Be still my heart. You sure do know how to show a girl a good time, Donahue.”

I’m about to show her just how good a time I can offer when the bell over the shop door jingles. A scent hits my nostrils, familiar and unwelcome, and my hackles rise on instinct.

“Well, well, Aiden Donahue. I heard rumors you were in town.”

I turn slowly, careful to slide Grace behind me as I face the man I’d hoped never to see again. Victor Williams stands in the doorway, dressed in a crisp suit, his dark hair slicked back. He surveys the bakery with a smirk, his gaze coming to rest on Grace where she peeks from behind me.

“And who’s this lovely creature?” he purrs as he steps forward—deeper into the bakery.

I fight back a growl, my wolf snarling at the threat to our mate. Since he’s forcing introductions, I step aside slightly so more of Grace is visible, but she’s still partially behind me. “Victor, this is Grace Carter. My girlfriend. Grace, Victor is an… old acquaintance.”

Victor laughs, the sound grating on my nerves. “A girlfriend? My, my, how things have changed. The Aiden I knew was never one for settling down.”

He takes Grace’s hand, bowing over it in a gesture that might seem gallant if not for the glint in his eye. “Charmed, my dear. I must say, you’re even more stunning than I’d heard. Aiden always did have impeccable taste.”

I watch Grace closely, worried that Victor’s oily charm might sway her. But to my relief and pride, she extricates her hand smoothly, her smile polite but cool.

“Lovely to meet you, Victor. If you’ll excuse us, we were just closing up for the day.”

Victor inclines his head, his smirk never faltering. “But of course. I wouldn’t dream of interrupting. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around, Aiden. You and your…lovely mate.”

With that, he strolls out, leaving a tense silence in his wake. Grace turns to me, her brow furrowed with concern.

“Aiden, what was that about? I could practically feel the testosterone crackling in the air.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “It’s a long story, sunshine. Victor and I… we have history. Not all of it good. I didn’t expect to see him here, of all places.”

Over the next few days, it becomes clear that Victor has no intention of leaving quietly. He’s everywhere, chatting up locals in the diner, buying rounds at the bar, flashing that smarmy grin and ill-gotten money.

My instincts are screaming that he’s up to something, that he’s a threat. But without proof, I can do little but watch and wait, keeping Grace as close as possible. One evening, as we’re cuddling on my porch swing, Grace nestles deeper into my side with a contented sigh. I tighten my arm around her, breathing in her calming scent and trying to let it soothe my frayed nerves.

“You’re tense,” she murmurs, trailing her fingers over my chest. “What’s wrong, babe? And don’t say nothing. I can practically hear you brooding.”

I huff out a laugh, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Can’t hide anything from you. Can I, sunshine?”

I hesitate, weighing how much to reveal. I don’t want to burden Grace with my complicated past, but I also know she deserves the truth.

“It’s Victor,” I finally admit. “His being here feels… off. Like he’s planning something. We didn’t exactly part on the best of terms last time our paths crossed.”

Grace sits up straight, her cool blue eyes searching mine. “Do you think he means us harm? That he might try to hurt you, or… or me?”

The thought of Victor laying a finger on my mate has my wolf howling for blood, ready to rip and rend. “I won’t let that happen,” I vow. “I’ll keep you safe, Grace, no matter what. You’re my priority, always.”

She smiles softly, cupping my face in her small hand. “I know you will. But, Aiden, we’re in this together now. Your battles are my battles. We’ll figure it out, like we always do and always will.”

Warmth blossoms in my chest at her words, at the unwavering faith shining in her eyes. Overcome with emotion, I capture her lips in a searing kiss, pouring everything I feel but can’t quite say into the press of my mouth against hers.

Grace responds eagerly, shifting to straddle my lap without breaking the kiss. I groan at the feel of her soft curves against me, my hands gripping her hips as she starts to rock slowly, teasingly.

“Grace,” I rasp, my voice strained with the effort of holding back. “Sunshine, if you keep that up, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

She grins wickedly, giving a particularly sinful twist of her hips that has my eyes flashing gold. “Maybe that’s what I want, wolf boy. What if I want you to lose control? To let that sexy beast of yours come out to play?”

I’m seconds away from giving her exactly what she’s asking for when a sound from the street snaps me back to reality. A familiar scent reaches me on the breeze, and I tense, my arousal doused like a bucket of ice water.

“Aiden?” Grace questions, sensing the abrupt change in my demeanor. “What is it?”

I ease her off my lap, every muscle in my body coiled tightly. “It’s him,” I reply grimly. “Victor. He’s out there, watching us.”

Grace’s eyes widen with shock and a hint of fear. It kills me to see her brightness dimmed by the shadow of my past.

“You should go inside,” I tell her, hating the words even as I say them. “Lock the door, just to be safe. I’ll deal with our unwanted visitor.”

Grace looks like she wants to argue, but something in my expression must convince her. With a quick, hard kiss, she slips inside, the click of the lock echoing in the tense silence.

I stalk down the porch steps, my wolf prowling just beneath my skin, ready for a fight. But by the time I reach the street, Victor is nowhere to be found. Just the lingering trace of his scent, taunting me.

Frustrated, I make my way back inside, locking the door securely behind me. I find Grace in the kitchen, brewing a pot of soothing chamomile tea. She hands me a mug, her fingers brushing mine in silent comfort.

“He was gone,” I tell her, the words bitter on my tongue. “But he was definitely here. Watching us.”

Grace shivers, and I pull her into my arms, wishing I could shield her from the darkness of my world. “What does he want, Aiden?” she asks softly. “Why can’t he just leave us alone?”

I shake my head, my jaw tight with tension. “I don’t know, sunshine. But whatever it is, it can’t be good.”

I hold her close, breathing in her soothing scent while trying to calm the agitated beast within me. “I won’t let him hurt you, Grace. I swear it. No matter what games he’s playing, I’ll keep you safe.”

Grace nods against my chest, her faith in me unwavering. But as I stare out the window into the gathering dusk, I can’t shake the sense of foreboding settling over me like a dark cloud.

Across the street, I catch a glimpse of Victor in the town square, chatting amiably with a group of locals. But even from this distance, I can feel his gaze on me, calculating and cold.

A silent challenge. A gauntlet thrown.

Game on, old friend , I think grimly. Game. Motherfucking. On.